Advertisement

Back to Men's Basketball coverage

Men's Basketball

Saturday, November 7, 2009

KU freshmen overcome first-game jitters

By Gary Bedore

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson makes his way from the court after fouling out against Fort Hays State. Robinson said he and his fellow freshmen teammates were nervous before Tuesday’s exhibition at Allen Fieldhouse.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson makes his way from the court after fouling out against Fort Hays State. Robinson said he and his fellow freshmen teammates were nervous before Tuesday’s exhibition at Allen Fieldhouse.

Advertisement

Kansas University’s freshmen basketball players — as one might expect — experienced some Opening Night jitters last Tuesday in Allen Fieldhouse.

“I was nervous in the beginning, walking through all the people on the way out (of northwest tunnel onto the court). Everybody was nervous,” KU frosh power forward Thomas Robinson said.

He was speaking for himself and fellow rookies Xavier Henry and Elijah Johnson, who combined for 29 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the Jayhawks’ 107-68 rout of Fort Hays State.

How could he tell his buddies were nervous?

“We talked to each other,” Robinson said.

Robinson insists the butterflies disappeared shortly after entering a game in which he scored six points with seven rebounds and three assists.

“Once you got out there and got to playing, it was easy,” said Robinson, who nonetheless showed his anxiousness by picking up two quick fouls.

“Thomas got two in 15 seconds probably. He is trying to get to the level Marcus (Morris) was last year,” KU junior guard Tyrel Reed joked. “We had to get on him a little bit,” he added of teasing the 6-foot-9, 230-pounder from Washington, D.C., for picking up his first foul with 13:16 left in the first half and second foul two seconds later.

“It seems to be the thing ... all the young guys fouling out. They’ll get used to the feel of the game and be fine,” Reed added.

Robinson picked up five fouls in his 13 minutes. Henry, who scored 14 points, fouled out while playing 20 minutes. Johnson, who had nine points, was whistled for two fouls.

“It was from being in a rush, not playing in a proper manner on defense,” Robinson said. “You can always learn from fouls, loose balls I didn’t get, rebounds I didn’t get. I can learn from it all.

“I think I could have done much better. I still feel I played well all around, though. I feel I have a lot of improvement to do on my game, come out and be more efficient as a player.”

He was pleased with Johnson and Henry.

“Outstanding,” he said of how they played. “It’s how I feel about our group. I feel we took on the challenge and came out and played hard.”

KU coach Bill Self said Robinson’s hustle did not come as a surprise.

“Thomas is probably our most consistent effort guy day in and out at least with our big guys,” Self said, noting, “it has rubbed off. Thomas has done as much as anybody to make the (Morris) twins better. He plays at a motor they have got to play at to keep up as far as going after balls. I think Thomas has been very good for our team.”

Robinson sees great potential for the No. 1-ranked Jayhawks.

“We scored over 100 and our main two players didn’t have a great night,” Robinson said of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, who had 19 and 13 points respectively. Aldrich had 13 rebounds, while Collins had four assists and three three-pointers made.

“I feel all around it was a great night. But we still have a lot of work to do.”

KU will conclude the exhibition season Tuesday against Pittsburg State. Tip is 7 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse.

Thomas introduced in Maine: The Maine Red Claws of the NBA Developmental League on Friday introduced former KU shooting guard Billy Thomas as the first player in the franchise’s history.

Thomas, whose rights were acquired by the Red Claws in the third round of the NBA D-league Expansion Draft, was presented his new No. 12 jersey by president/GM Jon Jennings at a morning news conference in Portland.

“We are so fortunate to have a player and person of the quality of Billy Thomas,” Jennings said. “Billy played in the NBA and came from a quality college program at Kansas. His leadership ability is exactly what a young team needs.”

The 6-foot-5 Thomas is two-time winner of the NBADL’s sportsmanship award.

Last year he averaged 16.1 points and 3.7 assists for league champion Colorado. He has played for the NBA’s Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Thomas, 33, also has played in the Philippines, Greece, Italy, Serbia, and Argentina.

Former KU guard Russell Robinson is on the preseason roster of the Reno (Nev.) Bighorns, a team he played for last year. Robinson also reportedly is considering some overseas options.

More like this

Comments

tennesseest (anonymous) says...

I love our freshmen, and I'm not ashamed

November 7, 2009 at 1:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

GBJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Okay Jayhawk Nation...

Maybe I need a reality check here, but this seems like one of the best freshman groups ever. They seem to have a solid mix of fantastic athletic ability, game smarts, maturity, coachability and work ethic that seems to indicate an extremely bright future.

Bright enough to wear shades? Are you kidding?

These guys are going to need welding masks!!!

Rock the CHALK Jayhawks!

November 7, 2009 at 1:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LA_hawk (anonymous) says...

No reality check needed GB, I also think these guys could be one of the best freshman classes. What's really impressive is how developed these guys are as freshman, Robinson and Henry are stacked, and Johnson is just a freak of an athlete.

November 7, 2009 at 2:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

drgnslayr (anonymous) says...

I've already watched our opener 3 times. Just can't get enough Jayhawk ball!

Our freshmen are just that "fresh men"... meaning... they certainly bring a freshness to an established great team. It's exciting to have all our experienced players execute their game beside our young fresh talented energetic players. The mix is brilliant!

Bring it on, Hawks... game 2 Tuesday.

November 7, 2009 at 4:07 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

FairgroveJayhawk (anonymous) says...

“I was nervous in the beginning, walking through all the people on the way out (of northwest tunnel onto the court). Everybody was nervous,” KU frosh power forward Thomas Robinson said.

A few more games and you'll feel nothing but love.

November 7, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUTPO (anonymous) says...

Nothing like the nervousness two match-ups with Missery will bring because of the pressure to win. I hope these freshmen can handle it and understand what it means to rout them twice. Hopefully, we won't lose by two point @ Missery.

November 7, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

jaybate online basketball dictionary:

One and Done--one hyped to go pro after one year but who probably won't.
Freshman--a machine for converting youth into fouls.
Sophomore Jinx--the behavior of a player who waited a year to start making stupid mistakes.
Technical Foul--a foul called on a player or coach for the sum total of offenses committed previously.
Verbal Committment--a non-binding promise to commit to play basketball for a university by a youth that has not yet even kept a promise to keep his room clean.
Dunk--a downward vertical fulfillment of the horizontal desire.

November 7, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

thomask72 (anonymous) says...

Jaybate--Words can't express how much of an idiot you are. I loathe reading your comments and feel like I scroll forever through your posts until I can read the next rational one in the list. Please stop your diatribes that no one cares about.

November 7, 2009 at 3:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUTPO (anonymous) says...

Thom ass 73 - Lighten up. Just don't read his diatribe. At least HE doesn't call anyone an idiot like you do. Idiot.

November 7, 2009 at 5:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawkdan42 (anonymous) says...

thomask72- If you don't like Jaybates blogs, skip them, it is still (for a little while longer ) a free speech country!

November 7, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

aerohawk (anonymous) says...

The scroll wheel on my mouse must be broke because I was forced to read thomask72's post.

I think jaybate is funny and I enjoy his posts.

November 7, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

truehawk93 (anonymous) says...

Can we all just get along!! LOL

Actually, jaybate does have some good and interesting points.

I don't read all his posts, but he does bring up good points most of the time.

TRob- You'll do fine. Play your game my man and those butterflies will be history!!

RCJHKU

November 7, 2009 at 6:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

WilburNether (anonymous) says...

Unfortunately, it's back to the bad old days: the football team sucks; bring on basketball!!!

November 7, 2009 at 6:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

HighEliteMajor (anonymous) says...

Who cares about football? Seriously. A winning football team is a mere luxury when you are KU basketball fan. Thomas Robinson will be a difference maker, and if the Morris twins don't watch it, he'll be starting at the 4. I don't see how Tyrell will get any PT with Elijah coming on by mid-year. This team will be scary by March. Lots of options, experience. Wow.

November 7, 2009 at 7:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

gthejayhawk (anonymous) says...

Tom (the) ass k 73, you are entitled to your opinion just as Jaybate and everyone else in this country are. But, with that said, I would take the advice of one former Abraham Lincoln, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt".

November 7, 2009 at 8:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

dmc8142 (anonymous) says...

i love ku

November 7, 2009 at 9 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jchief40 (anonymous) says...

I hate the word "frosh" wtf

November 7, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jchief40 (anonymous) says...

Next one to say frosh gets a punch in the clavicle.

November 7, 2009 at 9:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Sherronimo (anonymous) says...

freshman looked good for one game. Figure fouls will be an issue for trob for awhile. Always are for the bigs. X will be fine. Curious to see more of EJ's game, not just run outs. Jaybate, I love your blogs, and have family in phoenix who make fun of me cus they read you. Keep drivin. It's gonna be real fun this year. Still have, and will till I see Whithey play, have concerns for the 5 next year

November 8, 2009 at 12:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

thomask72,

Hang with me, because I am going to finish strong on you here.

Take your right hand off the mouse for the first time in your life. It will tremble, but be strong.

Next, move your right index finger so that it hovers over the keyboard between the "enter" key and the number pad.

There you will find keys marked home, end, page up, and page down.

All your troubles are over. :-)

November 8, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

gthejayhawk,

Classic. Rack it. And pack it.

Posting hall fame.

November 8, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

KUTPO,

Copy and CC and BCC.

November 8, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

truehawk93,

Thank you.

November 8, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

FairgroveJayhawk (anonymous) says...

G - "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt"

Best line ever.

November 8, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUMatt2001 (anonymous) says...

You guys are all losers.

Oh, and check this out:
http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/c...

Nothing ground-breaking here, but it was on the Yahoo Sports main page. So, nice to see more national love and always fun to read.

November 8, 2009 at 7:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )